“ FG Can No Longer Subsidise Electricity For Everyone” – Power Minister Warns Nigerians

Minister of Power Joseph Tegbe has said the Federal Government can no longer continue covering electricity tariff shortfalls while being expected to provide power to every Nigerian.

Tegbe made the statement at an energy conference organised by the Harvard Business School Association of Nigeria in Lagos, where he discussed the financial challenges facing the electricity sector.

“We can’t keep covering tariff shortfalls and think we’ll give power to every Nigerian,” he said.

The minister explained that the government was considering changes to the electricity market, including greater use of bilateral agreements under which power producers supply customers or electricity distribution companies based on agreed commercial terms.

He also identified poor revenue collection, inadequate metering and outstanding debts owed to power generation companies as major challenges affecting the sector. According to him, Nigeria has a metering gap of about 40 per cent, while the government plans to deploy 7.5 million meters over the next two to three years.

His remarks have sparked reactions on X, with several Nigerians questioning the government’s priorities amid rising living costs and concerns about electricity supply.

@kb_city1: This one just wan find way pack him own b4 election

@bussy2008: Who is this man ?the same govt that increased light over over 500% and you still want to increase it again ?how did we get here ?you all want to suck Nigerians up and you think we will keep looking at you?

@Blaqjessee: Most of them has solar installed in their various homes so exactly what we expected

@SylveesterIfe: How does other countries manage to have 24 hours electricity?

@Orpesy: We already know nothing good is coming out from this government

@ladeofboston: What exactly can the government provide??????

@LordBenyem: Talk truth, don’t be going through the corner, we all know where you are going Oga gbenapamo

@olatawurasegun: Then make pre paid meters available for every household across the nation.